But city is seeking temporary care provider for cats and dogs picked up on its streets.

Bethlehem officials disputed an anonymous claim that the city is mistreating stray animals, but said they are working on finding a temporary care provider for cats and dogs picked up on the streets.

The city received an anonymous complaint from city employees that strays held in animal crates in the city garage were not clean and the animals were not getting adequate water and food.

But none of it is true, according to police Commissioner Jason Schiffer and Joe Kelly, city director of community and economic development.

Both men said the city employees who made the anonymous claim likely made the assumption when they saw the animals between the times city employees feed, water, clean the crates or walk the animals.

"Nobody has been turning a blind eye here ... countless city employees, police, have adopted these animals and our house sergeant has been walking dogs,'' Schiffer told council Tuesday.

The crates provide a temporary holding space where Kelly said strays can stay for up to 48 hours. If they are not claimed, they are sent to various animal shelters throughout the state and New Jersey.

The city has been temporarily housing strays because of a contract disagreement with the nonprofit Center for Animal Health and Wellness in Williams Township.

Kelly said the animal center wants to charge the city $150 a stray regardless of whether the animal was brought in by a city resident or police officer.

Kelly said the city has found an alternative facility, the Christmas City Veterinary Hospital on W. Broad Street, to house strays for 48 hours.

The hospital's fee has not been set. But Kelly said, "We are working on a deal ... they said they have three (dog) runs available and we never have more than three dogs at a time.''

While the hospital deal is being finalized, Schiffer said, a group called Loving Your Dog may be contracted at about $20 a day to care for the animals while in holding. That price includes feeding, watering, cleaning the pen and walking the animals three times a day.

Councilwoman Karen Dolan suggested council form a committee composed of council members and residents to help formulate a policy for strays.

"I don't think we have a clear policy,'' she said.

By not having a contract with the animal center, Dolan said, "We have a lose, lose situation.''

Kelly disputed Dolan's assertion that the city needs to find a stable solution.

"I don't agree there is no workable solution ... right now we have a solution,'' he said.